Style has always been art-adjacent, so when both worlds come together, the product is almost always something that is creativity compounded across many levels. Dior’s Lady Dior House Exhibition is no different. The exhibition centres around one of the maison’s most iconic offerings, the Lady Dior handbag — hence, in order to understand the significance of the exhibition, one must first understand the key role that the Lady Dior plays within the maison’s lineup.
By far one of Dior’s most instantly-recognisable, iconic and timeless creations, the Lady Dior first rose to public consciousness on the arm of none other than Princess Diana herself in 1995, on a trip to Paris. At that point in time, the Lady Dior did not have a name yet, but through that association with Princess Diana, was fittingly christened the Lady Dior. Following that Parisian sojourn, the Lady Dior was seen on Princess Diana’s arm many more times, and it quickly became a staple in her personal style.
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As with most things that are associated with Princess Diana, the bag subsequently went on to become a timeless style icon — the bag is a cornerstone of Dior’s offerings today. It’s not hard to see why — the bag’s clean lines, with the signature Dior ‘cannage’ motif, topped off with rounded handles and gold hardware, make for a simple but timelessly elegant accessory that embodies everything that Dior is.
It is well-understood that simplicity often is the best canvas upon which creativity thrives, and Dior recognised that with the Lady Dior, giving rise to the Lady Dior House Exhibition. In its eighth year, the introduction of the exhibition features the Lady Dior in a kaleidoscope of colours, representing the infinite dimensions of the refined accessory, as well as the savoir-faire that goes into its creation.
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This leads into a retrospective segment, showcasing the reinterpretations of the iconic Dior offering from artists all over the world, whom Dior has granted carte blanche to reimagine. Beginning in 2016, this segment of the exhibition features work from the likes of Mircea Cantor, Jeffrey Gibson, Ha Chong-Hyun and Mariko Mori, amongst others; also featured are a selection of pieces from previous exhibitions, from the likes of Brian Calvin, Alex Gardner and Minjung Kim and other notable artists.
Of course, given that the touring exhibition stops over in Singapore, Singaporean artists are featured — innovative reinterpretations from Grace Tan, Genevieve Chua and Samuel Xun are prominently featured as part of the Lady Dior As Seen By segment. The manifestation of the maison’s dialogue with contemporary art’s most promising talents and key figures, Grace’s, Genevieve’s and Samuel’s works are displayed front and centre in a showcase of artists’ unrestricted re-imaginations of the Lady Dior as a symbol, rather than purely as an accessory.
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As part of the celebrations around the exhibition’s inaugural opening on our shores, Dior ambassador Tontawan Tantivejakul was in town to embellish proceedings with some flair and star power, alongside local stars Chantalle Ng and Carrie Wong.
The Lady Dior House Exhibition is open to the public from July 18 to August 11 2024, at 5 Jiak Kim Street, from 11am-9pm. Appointment bookings can also be made here.
This story was first seen on MensFolio.com.
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